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The world of aviation is exciting and demanding. Workers in this field keep airplanes flying on time, to the correct destinations, and with minimal mishaps. Whether you are seeking a career as an aviation mechanic, technician, air traffic controller, airport operations worker, pilot, or in a similar field, you’ll need to receive proper training before you can start your first job. Most of these positions will fall under the regulatory arm of the FAA, which certifies training programs and graduates alike. Students in any of the licensed careers will need to complete the required number of instructional hours and pass a comprehensive examination. Some aviation careers may also require continued education to maintain one's license.

What Programs Are Available for Aviation?

Aviation mechanics have a few options available for their job training. The two primary paths to becoming an aviation mechanic are through academic training and on-the-job training. The academic route will take up to 1,900 hours which can be broken out over three sections. To qualify for one of these programs, students must first achieve either a high school diploma or pass their General Educational Development Exam (GED).

According to the FAA, aviation mechanics need to spend 400 hours studying the general concepts and terms related to aviation mechanics. The next 750 hours are then spent studying the airframe and another 750 hours focuses on the powerplant. Once all 1,900 hours are complete, students must be able to examinations that qualifies them for an airframe and powerplant certificate, often referred to as the A&P Certificate. Note that students can opt to become certified in one only one area, such as an airframe certificate but, with both, they have even more opportunities available.

Those who are interested in becoming pilots must complete a series of steps, becoming certified to fly smaller to larger planes over time. They will earn their Private Pilot Certificate, which can be earned in around three months or could take a couple of years depending on how often you can get in flight hours. Then they earn an instrument rating; this means that you have experience and can fly solely through the use of instruments rather than visuals, which allows you to fly in the clouds, through the night, and through storms. Next is the commercial pilot certificate and multi-engine rating. Pilots can also earn a flight instructor certificate, which allows them to teach others to fly. After this, the most important thing is to gain experience. Depending on weather, availability, and finances, all of this could take as little as 9 months, or it could take years.

Becoming an air traffic controller may require an associate degree or bachelor’s degree from an approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program. With this, you’ll be ready to get right into the field. However, you could also gain on the job training and move into the field more slowly, but you’ll still need to have a bachelor’s degree if you follow this route.

What Will You Learn in an Aviation Program?

Aviation programs are very specific, depending on what career you are looking to enter. Aviation mechanics focus on the airframe and powerplant of an aircraft so they can effectively maintain them to FAA standards. The academic training encompasses both in-class instruction and practical applications of that knowledge. Since aircraft have so many moving and stationary parts, the course list is long and comprehensive.

For pilots, the focus is time spent in the air. You need to learn all the basics, of course, and there are differing skills required to handle a prop plane vs a multi-engine craft, but the focus is on having spent enough time using those skills in various instances so that you will be prepared to deal with the vagaries of a flight, whether that is a change in weather, damage to your craft, or other unforeseen circumstances. That is why flight hours and instrument rating are so important, especially if you are hoping to pilot large passenger flights.

While a technical degrees or certificates will focus solely on the skills you need in your career, students might consider obtaining a full associate degree anyway. With this degree in hand, students will complete the core curriculum necessary for any future college degree. Even those who don't have any plans to complete a full undergraduate degree should consider this option. Those core courses will help them become better professionals with an increased knowledge of English grammar and composition, mathematics, and general humanities courses that help create a well-rounded individual. An associate degree may also offer opportunities to take courses in management or accounting, which can help any professional improve their standing within an organization or start their own business.

Depending on the community college, students may be able to take some or all of these core college courses in a classroom or online. The online option can help aviation mechanics or pilots free up time for their practical training or a part-time job. In fact, there may even be programs that offer their entire curriculum online.

Skills Needed

To work in aviation mechanic, you will need specific skills and attributes. After all, there is a lot at stake when it comes to aircraft, whether you are in charge of maintenance, piloting, or directing those planes. Unlike cars which can pull to the curb when they break down, pilots have far fewer choices. Perhaps one of the most important skills or attributes to have is patience. All of these positions have specific check lists and best practices that they must adhere to throughout every step of the process in order to make sure everyone stays safe. Rushing will only endanger people.

All of these positions also require a fastidious attention to detail. Whether you are installing a new part on an airplane, reading instruments, or trying to track dozens of planes moving onto and off the runway or taxiway. All of these professionals must be able to keep their mind on their work to ensure that the job is done right, with no room for error.

On top of the technical skills and mechanical know-how required across all of these positions, they should also be effective communicators. This is all the more important as you move up toward a supervisory position or if you begin performing maintenance or flying for a large airline. You should be able to tell other maintenance workers what is expected of them or clearly and succinctly tell air traffic control what you are experiencing in the air. This is one reason why you might want to consider an associate degree so that you can have more practice and experience with writing and presenting ideas to an audience.

Financing and Scholarships

Unless you find an opportunity to learn aviation mechanics on the job or gain flight training through a military position, you will likely need to finance your education. Since there are few, if any, federal grants or loans available for tradespeople, aviation mechanics and pilots must seek out funding resources elsewhere. Luckily, there are many options available for those in technical trades.

Though the federal government does not provide much, if any, assistance to those seeking professional education, the FAA does provide a healthy resource on its website. There, you will find a lengthy list of scholarships. This financing option is superior to standard student loans because a scholarship doesn't need to be repaid. Nevertheless, sometimes loans are unavoidable. If that seems likely, investigate whether you can work towards an associate degree instead, for which federal funding may be available.

Please discuss this with your admissions counselor prior to enrolling in courses.

  • Adult Student in Scholastic Transition
    The ASIST scholarship is a generous program that helps aspiring aviation mechanics afford their education and thrive in their profession. Students need to apply through a local chapter of Executive Women International. The ASIST scholarships range from $2000 to $10,000.
  • College Jumpstart Scholarship Program
    This is a merit-based scholarship program that includes students in any field. It is also open to both graduating high school seniors as well as non-traditional, adult learners. The first prize is a $1,000 payday that helps students cover their educational expenses.
  • Work Ethic Scholarships
    This is an enormously popular scholarship program so prospective students should apply as early as possible. Tradespeople across a wide range of trades are welcome to apply, including truck drivers, motorcycle mechanics, plumbers, and aviation experts.
  • FAA List of Funding Resources
    Though the federal government isn't a lot of help for those seeking professional degrees, the FAA does offer a rather lengthy list of scholarship opportunities for aspiring aviation professionals. These resources include options from private companies such as Boeing, but also from private foundations that are dedicated to aviation.

Choosing an Aviation Program

Online vs. On-Campus

Since all aviation programs include both time in the classroom and in practical application, there are programs that combine both online and hands-on instruction. Thus, the classroom work can be done at home or on one's own time but then they must adhere to scheduled practicum times. The online option is very flexible and can be a terrific option for students who need to continue working while they strive to achieve their career goals.

While online classes can seem daunting and difficult, they can be a real boon to students. This is at least partially because their instructors are only an email or instant message away. In the online world, all students are on an even playing field and students can easily ask all questions. However, students are urged to make contact with their instructors and establish that connection. Students who engage with their instructors are likely to find the most success.

Job Placement Assistance

Most reputable aviation-focused schools will provide job placement assistance for their graduates. No matter what they are teaching, it's likely that there is a local demand for those skills. There are even aviation mechanic and flight training schools that operate nationwide. These may offer students the ability to seek employment in some other city or state.

However, it’s not a given that all programs will support their students in this way. It’s therefore very important to discuss this vital part of the process with an admissions counselor. Students should include a discussion of the possibility of internships or apprentice programs at this time. There may even be apprentice programs that offer some sort of tuition reimbursement or scholarship funds.

Students should also seek out professional associations, such as the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) or the Air Transport Association (ATA), which can offer career development resources. Such associations offer professionals fresh opportunities, networking, and fellowship with like-minded professionals.

Other Aviation Careers

To make a plane or helicopter take off for the wild blue yonder there needs to be a massive team behind each and every take-off, in-flight operations, and landing. There are many aviation career opportunities out there, beyond what we’ve talked about in this page. For each of these, there are training programs and degrees offered at colleges, universities, ad trade or technical programs. There is a wide range of possible careers for those who love aviation and air transportation.

Here is a small sample:

  • Air Traffic Controller:
    This is a highly stressful position that requires nerves of steel, impeccable concentration, and a dedication to learning and growing in the field. To work in this position, you must be licensed by the FAA. To qualify, applicants must be under 30 years old, pass medical and security guidelines, and be US citizens. The FAA reports that the median salary for this position is over $127,000 and that entry-level pay increases as professionals complete training phases.
  • Airline Pilots:
    To start a career as a professional airline pilot, you will need to become licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The minimum formal education for this field is a high school diploma. What’s important in this field is logging flight hours. With enough hours, the ability to land a job with an airline increases. Many airline pilots begin as military pilots, where they must first complete a bachelor's degree and officer status.
  • Commercial Freight Pilot:
    Many pilots prefer flying for shipping carriers such as FedEx or UPS where their passengers are all inert boxes. This position requires that you have extensive flight experience and likely a bachelor's degree. Commercial freight pilots are able to fly all over the world and enjoy terrific salaries and benefits.
  • Aviation Safety Inspector:
    Safety is a huge part of aviation. Airplanes are massive machines but since they operate in such adverse conditions, every piece must be inspected consistently. Aviation safety inspectors also work on things like safety policies, including checking on the competencies of pilots, mechanics, and the aviation facilities themselves.
  • Airway Transportation Systems Specialists:
    This is an area of the FAA that includes five separate specialty areas:
    • Environmental specialists who work on things such as airplane air conditioning and more.
    • Radar specialists who work on navigation systems as well as weather radar.
    • Navigational aids specialists who maintain and repair equipment vital to air traffic navigation.
    • Communications specialists who maintain and repair communications equipment.
    • Automation specialists who maintain and repair radar terminal systems, direct access radar channel, and other vital technologies.

FAQs

How long does it take to complete an aviation program?

An aviation mechanic program takes a total of 1,900 hours, per the FAA's regulations. Those hours are purely in mechanical training. In more practical terms, such a program takes approximately 21 months. Those looking to become an air traffic controller will need to complete a four-year degree. And those looking to become commercial airplane pilots must spend hundreds of hours in the air and gain a variety of certifications and ratings in order to do so.

How much does an aviation program cost?

This number varies according to the program one enrolls in and does not include any reductions due to grants or scholarships. In fact, some states are now offering free, or dramatically reduced, community college education for first-time students. However, a typical associate degree cost around $8,000 for two years of instruction, including core college courses.

On the other hand, some private career colleges charge between $4,500 and $5,000 for their 9- to 21-month training programs. Given that students can graduate into jobs that pay anywhere from $45,000 and up, the return on investment is quite good. Pilots may pay as much as $10,000 for their training as they must not only pay their instructor but must also rent the plane for each flight hour they must fulfill and pay for gas as well.

Is there specific accreditation for aviation programs?

Yes. The FAA must approve of any programming training aviation professionals to ensure that all graduating students meet the required standards. After all, any aviation professional must adhere to FAA guidelines before working on aircraft, flying aircraft, or otherwise engaging with airborne transportation. Make sure that any aviation program you apply to has FAA credentials before you enroll. Your admissions counselor should have all of this information, as well as information regarding certification or licensing, according to your need.

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